Feeding device

ABSTRACT

A feeding device is provided for feeding a material to be processed to a working unit present in a sheet processing line. The feeding device includes a frame element which is provided with a gripping device configured to grip the material to be processed for setting off a feeding motion. The gripping device include a transfer element, which is provided with a press member engageable with one surface of the material to be processed, with the press member being located substantially in coincidence with the center line of the material to be processed. The press member is configured to move in lateral direction along with the material to be processed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of Finnish Application No. U20060233, filed May 31, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a feeding device for feeding a material to be processed to a working unit present in a sheet processing line.

2. Description of Related Art

In sheet processing lines known from the prior art, the sheet material to be processed is fed to a working unit included in the sheet processing line in the form of blanks or a decoiled web. The feeding device is typically fitted with claws gripping the opposite sides of a blank or a web and enabling the blank or the web to be centered relative to the longitudinal center line of the working unit's feeding path.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the invention is to provide a feeding device, by which a sheet material can be transferred in a simple and reliable manner to a working unit present in a sheet processing line.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic view of a feeding device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

FIG. 1 shows schematically part of a feeding device 1, comprising a frame element 2 with a reciprocating transfer element 3 in its top portion. The transfer element 3 can be e.g. rack-driven. The transfer element 3 includes a press shoe 4, which is engageable with the top surface of a sheet material to be processed (not shown) for conveying the sheet material along a flat surface 6 of the feeding device to a working unit (not shown) by way of the transfer element 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the transfer element 3 is substantially O-shaped and adapted to make a reciprocating motion in vertical plane, e.g. by way of double-acting hydraulic cylinders (not shown) provided inside the frame element 2. The press shoe 4 is attached to a top member 3 a of the transfer element so as to substantially coincide with the center line of the sheet material feeding path, whereby it can be brought by way of a downward motion to engagement with the top surface of a sheet material extending through a slot in the transfer element for pressing the sheet material against the flat surface 6 by way of the press shoe. The transfer element 3 is designed as a floating structure to enable the transfer element 3, together with the press shoe 4, to perform a slight reciprocating shift in lateral direction, e.g. within the range of about 0.1-0.5 mm, along with a sheet material to be processed while the press shoe is in engagement with the top sheet material surface. By virtue of this lateral floating movement, the dimensional and/or shape-related inconsistencies possibly occurring in a sheet or web-like material to be processed do not cause jamming of the material between web guides 5 set on either side of the sheet material. Another conceivable implementation is such that the press shoe 4 is adapted to be floating with respect to the transfer element 3, while the transfer element remains substantially immobile in lateral direction.

The transfer element 3 can also be implemented as a vertically stationary structure, while the press shoe 4 is adapted to shift in vertical direction relative to the transfer element 3, e.g. by way of a hydraulically operating drive. It is also conceivable to implement the disposition of a press shoe below a sheet material to be processed as a floating structure connected to a bottom member of the transfer element, whereby the press shoe is displaceable upward for pressing the sheet material extending through the transfer element between the press shoe and the top member of the transfer element.

A solution according to the invention enables a simple and reliable feeding of material to a working unit without any centering operation in lateral direction.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. 

1. A feeding device for feeding a material to be processed to a working unit present in a sheet processing line, said feeding device comprising a frame element having a gripping device configured to grip the material to be processed and imparting a feeding motion thereto, the gripping device including a transfer element having a press member engageable with one surface of the material to be processed, said press member being located substantially in coincidence with a center line of the material to be processed, and said press member being configured to move in a lateral direction along with the material to be processed.
 2. A feeding device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the transfer element, together with the press member, is configured to shift in a vertical motion to an engagement with the one surface of the material to be processed.
 3. A feeding device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the press member is configured to shift in a vertical motion relative to the transfer element for bringing the press member to an engagement with the one surface of the material to be processed.
 4. A feeding device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the transfer element is configured to shift together with the press shoe in a lateral direction to a feeding direction. 